JP2024517399A - Mounting system for pressure vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting system for a pressure vessel, comprising a first support member on which at least one first mounting part (6) for a first end of the pressure vessel is arranged and a second support member on which at least one second mounting part for a second end of the pressure vessel is arranged, the first mounting part (6) having an inner ring (11) in which the first end of the pressure vessel (1) is accommodated in a non-rotatable manner. The problem of the present invention is to optimize the mounting of the neckpiece of the pressure vessel. This problem is solved in that the inner ring (11) is mounted in the outer ring (12) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, the outer ring (12) itself being mounted in the mounting part (6) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis extending at right angles to the first pivot axis.
[Selected figure] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting system for a pressure vessel, comprising a first support member on which at least one first mounting portion for a first end of the pressure vessel is arranged, and a second support member on which at least one second mounting portion for a second end of the pressure vessel is arranged, the first mounting portion having an inner ring, and the first end of the pressure vessel is accommodated in the inner ring so as not to rotate relative to the first mounting portion.

Pressure vessels for containing gases such as hydrogen or liquefied gas are often formed as composite pressure vessels with a liner made of plastic or metal, for example aluminium, two metallic neck pieces arranged in the neck region and a winding of fibre composite material reinforcing the liner. Such pressure vessels are known for example from WO 99/27293. The neck pieces, also called end bosses, are used to mount filling and removal valves. Such valves can be provided at both ends of the pressure vessel. Alternatively, one end of the pressure vessel can be closed. The pressure vessel is also attached by the neck pieces to a mounting system by means of which several pressure vessels can be mounted, for example, on a vehicle.

A mounting system is known, for example, from CA 2 384 915. Mounting blocks are provided at both ends, which clamp the neck piece securely. A problem with such a mounting system is the risk of forces acting on the mounting system being introduced into the pressure vessel. This can undermine the strength of the pressure vessel and also pose a safety risk since the pressure vessel is filled with a flammable medium. In CA 2 384 915, the bearing has a certain degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel, which avoids the introduction of excessive forces into the pressure vessel. US 2004/9056164 and US 2017/0370527 describe mounting systems for pressure vessels, in which the end bosses are connected to the mounting members of the mounting system via balls. In this way, the introduction of rotational and bending forces into the end bosses is avoided. The mounting system for a pressure vessel according to the preamble of claim 1 is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0370527 and U.S. Patent No. 6,986,490.

The objective of the present invention is to optimize the installation of the neck piece of a pressure vessel.

The above problem is solved by having the inner ring mounted to (within) the outer ring so as to be rotatable about a first pivot axis (pivot axis), and the outer ring itself mounted to (within) the mounting part so as to be rotatable about a second pivot axis that extends at right angles to the first pivot axis.

In other words, it is proposed to provide a gimbal suspension for at least one neck piece of the pressure vessel. The neck piece itself is held non-rotatably on this gimbal suspension. This avoids damage to the mounting parts attached to the neck piece, in particular the piping for the supply (filling) and removal of compressed gas by the valve. The design of this mounting is then simple to implement, has the required strength and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

In practice, the inner ring can consist of two inner ring halves that are split along a first dividing surface extending in the diametric direction. This has the advantage that these inner ring halves can be easily assembled around the neckpiece. The inner ring can then be rotatably attached to the outer ring via two first pivots. A pivot hole can be arranged in each inner ring half, into which one of the pivots projects (enters). The inner ring has an annular groove that opens toward the inside, into which the collar of the first end of the pressure vessel, in particular of the neckpiece, can be inserted. The two inner ring halves can simply be pressed (slid) onto the collar until their end faces abut against each other at the first dividing surface. The inner ring can further have at least one retaining element, which cooperates in a form-locking manner with a complementary retaining element of the first end of the pressure vessel. A retaining element complementary to the retaining element can be formed so as to engage when the inner ring halves are pressed together. As the retaining elements, two diametrically opposed material protrusions can be provided, which protrude inward from the bottom of the groove and are arranged in one of the inner ring halves (in each inner ring half). In that case, the collar has a complementary region deviating from a circular cross section, which cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the material protrusions when the inner ring is assembled. The first pivot can protrude into a pivot hole arranged diametrically opposed to one another in the region of the material protrusions. In particular, if the material protrusions are formed as flats in the groove or as protrusions in the groove and are received in a complementary shaped receiving or flat portion of the collar, the material thickness of the inner ring is greatest in the region of the material protrusions, and the receiving strength of the pivot is high.

In practice, the outer ring can consist of two outer ring halves that are split along a second diametrically extending split surface. The outer ring is therefore of a similar construction to the inner ring. In the region of the second split surface, two diametrically opposite recesses for receiving the two first pivots can be arranged. The first pivot, which projects into the pivot hole of the inner ring, can then be surrounded on both sides by two recesses provided in each one of the two outer ring halves. In this way, the inner ring is held in the outer ring so as to be pivotable about the first pivot. Each outer ring half can have a pivot hole in its central region for receiving the second pivot. The second pivot is held in a mounting ring that is attached to a mounting block. The second pivot holds the outer ring so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis. The mounting block forms a mounting for the neckpiece.

In that case, the second dividing surface can extend perpendicular to the first dividing surface, whereby the second pivot axis extends perpendicular to the first pivot axis. In this way, the inner ring and the outer ring can be easily assembled. In practice, the outer ring can be mounted on (in) a mounting block consisting of two mounting halves divided along a diametrically extending third dividing surface. The mounting block can have an annular receiving groove into which the mounting ring is inserted. The mounting ring is divided into two mounting ring halves along a fourth dividing surface extending at right angles to the third dividing surface. The mounting ring can have two diametrically opposite receiving holes in the region of the fourth dividing surface for receiving each one of the second pivots. This construction form also achieves easy assembly and removal of the bearing part of the neckpiece. The mounting ring can be held with slight play in the annular receiving groove. For this purpose, the two mounting halves can be screwed tightly into the mounting system by means of mounting screws that protrude through holes aligned with each other in the area of the vertical edges of the mounting halves. These mounting screws fix the mounting rings in the receiving grooves of the mounting block and fix all the rings to each other and the collar of the neckpiece to the inner ring. The mounting rings are rotatable in the receiving grooves, so that their rotational position can be aligned with the mounting position of the neckpiece with the valve attached. The mounting rings can be locked in the rotational position by means of grub screws that are screwed into the threaded holes of the mounting halves towards the mounting rings.

In practice, the second end of the pressure vessel can be attached to the second mounting part so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel. For this purpose, the second mounting part can have a cylindrical hole (bore) surrounding a cylindrical part of the second neck piece (end boss) of the pressure vessel. In that case, the second mounting part can be formed substantially according to the first mounting part, in which case axial displaceability is provided, for example, the mounting ring can be displaceable in the receiving groove of the mounting block. Alternatively, the neck piece can have a cylindrical part that is held in the inner ring so as to be axially displaceable (slidable).

Other practical embodiments and advantages of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a support to which four pressure vessels are attached via four mounting points. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the mounting part of the support according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 and shows a mounting with offset receiving portions for the neck piece of the pressure vessel. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mounting part according to FIGS. 2 and 3 ; FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the mounting portion with the neck piece of the pressure vessel inserted. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 with the pressure vessel pivoted relative to the mounting portion. FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the neckpiece according to FIGS. 5 and 6; FIG. 8 is a front view of the neckpiece according to FIG. 7; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the support with the pressure vessel according to FIG. 1;

In FIG. 1, a support (rack) for four pressure vessels 1 can be seen, which is formed as a closed frame with two longitudinal profiles 2 and two transverse profiles 3. In FIG. 1, only the transverse profile 3 of the front side can be seen. As will be explained below in connection with FIG. 9, the transverse profile of the rear side in the plane of the drawing can be made identical. However, the rear end of the pressure vessel 1 can also differ from the front end visible in the drawing, so that the transverse profile of the rear side can also differ from the transverse profile of the front side 3. Pressure vessels 1 are known which have identical neck pieces 4 (see FIGS. 5 to 8) at the front and rear sides. However, pressure vessels 1 are also known which have different neck pieces at the rear end, for example closed neck pieces.

The pressure vessel 1 can be used to contain gaseous fuel, for example liquefied gas or hydrogen, in particular for vehicles. The neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel 1, which can be seen in figures 5 to 8, has a passage hole (through hole) through which the pressure vessel 1 can be filled with fuel and through which the pressure vessel 1 can be emptied again. The outlet valve 5, which can be seen in figure 1, is arranged in the neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel, which controls the flow of gas when filling and emptying the pressure vessel 1.

In FIG. 1, four mountings (holders) 6 can be seen on the front transverse profile 3, which will be explained in more detail in relation to the following figures. In FIG. 1, the valve 5 and the mountings 6 cover the neck piece 4. The role of the mountings 6 is to fix the neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel 1, which is visible in FIGS. 5 and 6, but at the same time ensure a certain degree of mobility. In particular, the pressure vessel 1 should not be subjected to forces or moments acting on the support. These forces and moments should be borne mostly by the profiles 2, 3 of the frame of the support. It is necessary to hold the neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel 1 mobile, since not only the frame deforms, but also the pressure vessel 1 deforms depending on the temperature and the internal pressure. On the other hand, it must be aimed to accommodate the neck piece 4 in the mountings 6 so that it cannot rotate. Rotation of the neck piece 4 can lead to damage or leakage of the outlet valve 5 attached to it.

Figures 2 to 4 show the mountings 6 for the neckpiece 4 in detail. It can be seen that each mounting is formed by a mounting block (bearing unit) 6 consisting of two mounting halves (bearing halves) 7, 8. Both mounting halves 7, 8 have aligned through holes 9, 10 which are passed through by mounting screws (not shown) and by which they can be attached to the front transverse profile 3 of the frame.

As can be seen particularly in Figures 2 and 3, each mounting block 6 has an inner ring 11 and an outer ring 12, which together form a gimbal suspension. As can be seen particularly in Figure 3, the inner ring 11 can pivot about a horizontal axis and the outer ring 12 can pivot about a vertical axis. However, as explained below, the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12 are rotatably mounted to the mounting block 6, so that the axial orientation can change.

The structural form of the mounting block 6 can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, where the individual components of the mounting block 6 are shown in a three-dimensional exploded view.

The mounting halves 7, 8 of the mounting block 6 are arranged with groove halves 17, 18, which together form an annular receiving groove. The mounting ring 13 is rotatably received in this annular receiving groove. The mounting ring 13 can be seen in FIG. 3. It serves for the rotatable arrangement of the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12 in the mounting block 6. As will be explained below, the neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel 1 is fixed to the inner ring 11. To enable the neck piece 4 to be received in the mounting block 6 in the correct orientation, the mounting ring 13 is rotatable. The mounting ring 13 can be rotated to a suitable rotational position and there tightened by a grub screw 14. The two mounting halves 7, 8 are arranged with two threaded holes 15, 16 for screwing in the grub screw 14, which fixes the mounting ring 13 to the mounting block 6 in the correct rotational position of the neck piece 4 after the entire mounting system has been assembled to the pressure vessel 1. If one grub screw 14 is sufficient to generate sufficient clamping force, the other grub screw 14 can be omitted.

The mounting ring 13 consists of two mounting ring halves 19, 20 (FIG. 4) divided by a vertical plane. In the region of the dividing plane of the mounting ring 13, semicircular recesses 21 are arranged on the end faces of the mounting ring halves 19, 20. The two recesses 21 on the two mutually abutting end faces of the mounting ring halves 19, 20 together form a receiving hole for the radially outer head part of a pivot (pin) 22, by means of which the outer ring 12 is connected to the mounting ring 13 so as to be rotatable about a vertical pivot axis. For this purpose, the outer ring 12 has two pivot holes (pin holes) 23, 24, into which the neck part of the pivot 22, which protrudes inwardly and is reduced in diameter, can be inserted. Each pivot hole 23, 24 is arranged in the central region of the outer ring halves 25, 26.

The outer ring 12 itself consists of two outer ring halves 25, 26, which likewise have semicircular recesses 27 on their end faces. In this case too, the two semicircular recesses on the mutually abutting end faces of the outer ring halves 25, 26 together form a receiving hole in which the head portion of the pivot (pin) 28 can be respectively received. In this case too, the head portion, i.e. the large-diameter area of the pivot 28 located radially outward of the outer ring 12, is inserted into the receiving hole. Since the outer ring 12 is divided by a horizontal plane, the two pivots 28 form a horizontal pivot axis for the inner ring 11.

The inner ring 11 also consists of two inner ring halves 29, 30. The two inner ring halves 29 and 30 also have pivot holes (pin holes) 31 and 32, respectively, which accommodate the neck portion located radially inward of the pivot 28. The inner ring 11 is also divided by a vertical plane. The inner ring 11 has an annular groove (ring groove) 33 that opens toward its center. In the lateral region (lateral region) of the opening annular groove 33, a material protrusion 34 protruding from the bottom of the annular groove 33 is provided, thereby reducing the depth of the annular groove 33 on the lateral side.

To explain the cooperation between the annular groove 33 of the inner ring 11 and the neckpiece 4, please refer first to Figures 7 and 8, which show the neckpiece 4 in a longitudinal section and a front view, and Figures 5 and 6, which show the neckpiece 4 and the adjacent area of the pressure vessel 1.

5 and 6, it can be seen that the pressure vessel 1 has a liner 35 that tightly lines the pressure vessel. The liner 35 can be made of plastic but also of metal, for example aluminum. The liner 35 is surrounded on the outside by an outer layer 36, which is usually made of a fiber composite material. The neck piece 4 has through holes for removing gas from the inside of the pressure vessel 1 and for refilling it. The neck part 37 of the liner 35 is screwed into the neck piece 4.

The neckpiece 4 is actually also called an end boss. It usually consists of metal and has a conical collar 38 located between the liner 35 and the outer layer 36 of the pressure vessel 1. The neckpiece 4 has further collars 39, 40 projecting radially outwards, which ensure a firm connection with the outer layer 36. The last collar 41, located closest to the front end of the neckpiece 4, is used for the connection with the mounting part 6. This collar 41 can be seen in Figs. 7 and 8. This collar 41 has flats 42, 43 on both sides which cooperate with the material projections 34 in the lateral regions of the groove 33. Naturally, all other mounting elements which engage with each other in a form-locking manner can also be provided for the connection of the neckpiece 4 to the inner ring 11 in a non-rotatable manner. Screw elements or clamping elements can also be used to provide a rotation stop.

The front collar 41 of the neck piece 4 is inserted into the annular groove 33 of the inner ring 11. Due to manufacturing tolerances, deviations in the rotational position of the neck piece 4 relative to the rest of the pressure vessel 1 may occur. For this reason, the mounting ring 13 is rotatably held in the mounting block 6 and is fixed thereto by the grub screw 14 only after the neck piece 4 of the pressure vessel 1 is correctly assembled in the mounting block 6. The collar 41 is then non-rotatably held in the mounting block 6 by the material projection 34 and the flats 42, 43. The mounting block 6 forms a fixed bearing that fixes the position of the neck piece 4 relative to the front transverse profile 3, while the neck piece 4 is held in a gimbal manner as mentioned at the beginning and can be pivoted in any direction about two axes that are perpendicular and formed by the pivots 22 and 28. Thus, slight movements of the mounting block 6 in the event of deformation of the frame or the pressure vessel 1 mounted on the frame do not generate forces acting on the structure of the pressure vessel 1.

The rear end of the pressure vessel 1, which is not visible in FIG. 1, can be seen in FIG. 9. For cost reasons, the rear transverse profile 3 seen here can be made identical to the front transverse profile 3 (FIG. 1). The mounting block 6' for the neck piece at the rear end of the pressure vessel 1 can also be similar to the front mounting block 6. The rear mounting block 6' can form a free bearing (floating bearing) for the neck piece, in which the neck piece of the pressure vessel 1 is accommodated axially displaceably. The pressure vessel 1 can be lengthened by up to 8 mm depending on the outside temperature and the internal pressure. For this reason, the rear end of each pressure vessel 1, which can be seen in FIG. 9, can move relative to the rear transverse profile 3. For this purpose, the rear mounting part or mounting block 6' can be provided with an axial degree of freedom. This can be achieved, for example, by the mounting ring 13 not being held in a groove but resting and displaceable on a flat annular or cylindrical surface. In that case, a gimbal-like mounting for the rear neck piece of the pressure vessel 1 is obtained, but the bearing points are longitudinally displaceable, thereby avoiding longitudinal stresses acting on the pressure vessel 1.

The features of the invention disclosed in this specification, the drawings and the claims may be important, both individually and in any combination, for realizing the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The invention may be modified within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

1 Pressure vessel 2 Longitudinal profile 3 Transverse profile, support member 4 Neck piece 5 Withdrawal valve 6 Front mounting part, mounting block 6' Rear mounting part, mounting block 7 Lower mounting half 8 Upper mounting half 9 Through hole 10 Through hole 11 Inner ring 12 Outer ring 13 Mounting ring 14 Grub screw 15 Screw hole 16 Screw hole 17 Groove portion 18 Groove portion 19 Mounting ring half 20 Mounting ring half 21 Recess 22 Pivot 23 Pivot hole 24 Pivot hole 25 Outer ring half 26 Outer ring half 27 Recess 28 Pivot 29 Inner ring half 30 Inner ring half 31 Pivot hole 32 Pivot hole 33 Annular groove 34 Material protrusion 35 Liner 36 Outer layer 37 Neck portion 38 Conical collar 39 Collar 40 Collar 41 Collar 42 Flat portion 43 Flat portion

Claims (10)

A mounting system for a pressure vessel (1), comprising:
a first support member (3) on which at least one first mounting portion (6) for a first end of the pressure vessel (1) is arranged;
a second support member (3) on which at least one second mounting portion (6') for a second end of the pressure vessel (1) is arranged;
Equipped with
The first mounting portion (6) has an inner ring (11), and the first end of the pressure vessel (1) is received in the inner ring (11) so as to be non-rotatable relative to the inner ring (11);
1. A mounting system, characterized in that the inner ring (11) is mounted in the outer ring (12) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, the outer ring (12) itself being mounted in the first mounting part (6) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis extending at right angles to the first pivot axis. A mounting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner ring (11) has at least one of the following features:
the inner ring (11) consists of two inner ring halves (29, 30) split along a first diametrically extending split plane;
- said inner ring (11) is rotatably mounted on said outer ring (12) via two first pivots (28);
the inner ring (11) has an annular groove (33) opening inwards, into which the collar (41) of the first end of the pressure vessel (1) can be inserted;
the inner ring (11) has at least one retaining element (34) which cooperates in a form-locking manner with a complementary retaining element of the first end of the pressure vessel (1);
two diametrically opposed material projections (34) are provided as retaining elements, which project radially inwards from the bottom of the annular groove (33) and are respectively arranged on each of the inner ring halves (29, 30);
the first pivot (28) projects into pivot holes (31, 32), the pivot holes (31, 32) being arranged diametrically opposite each other in the region of the material projection (34); A mounting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer ring (12) has at least one of the following characteristics:
the outer ring (12) consists of two outer ring halves (25, 26) split along a second diametrically extending split plane;
in the region of the second parting surface, two diametrically opposed receiving holes are arranged for receiving two first pivots (28);
Each outer ring half (25, 26) has a pivot hole (23, 24) in its central area for receiving the second pivot. The mounting system of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the second dividing surface extends perpendicular to the first dividing surface. A mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer ring (12) is mounted in a mounting block (6), the mounting block (6) consisting of two mounting halves (7, 8) divided along a third dividing plane extending diametrically. The mounting system according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the mounting block has an annular receiving groove (17, 18) into which a mounting ring (13) is inserted, and the mounting ring (13) is divided into two mounting ring halves (19, 20) along a fourth dividing plane extending perpendicularly to the third dividing plane. The mounting system according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting ring (13) has two diametrically opposite receiving holes in the area of the fourth parting surface for receiving each one of the second pivots (22). The mounting system according to claim 7, characterized in that the mounting ring (13) is rotatably and lockably held in the annular receiving grooves (17, 18). The mounting system according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one mounting half (7, 8) has a threaded hole (15, 16) which leads into the receiving groove (17, 18) and receives a grub screw (14) for locking the mounting ring (13). The mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second end of the pressure vessel (1) is attached to the second mounting part (6') so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel (1).